Grapple for airplane package transfer apparatus



L. S. ADAMS May 10, 1932.

GRAPPLE FOR AIRPLANE PACKAGE TRANSFER APPARATUS Filed May 10, 1929,ZyZZe 5. a cia/mop M damy Patented May 10, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENTOFFICER LYTLE S. ADAMS, OF SEATTLE, WASHINGTON, ASSIGNOR T AIRWAYSPATENT COR- PORATION, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE GRAIEPLE FOR AIRPLANEPACKAGE TRANSFER APPARATUS Application .filed. May 10,

This invention relates to package transfer apparatus of the typedisclosed in my pending application Ser. No. 305,970, filed September14, 1928, now Patent No. 1,818,835, issued Aug. 11, 1931, wherein theairplane is provided with a trailing suspension cable for lowering andlifting the package carrier and suitable grapple means for automaticallydisconnecting one carrier and attaching another at a transfer station.

The invention aims to improve the grapple means to insure reliabilityfor performance under varying conditions of operation.

Other aims and advantages of the invention appear in connection with thefollowing de-' scription of the preferred embodiment illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, wherein Fig. 1 is a side view of the cablereceiving or socket member, which forms one of the members of thegrapple device;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section, and Fig. 3 is a. cross section of thesame on the lines 22 in Fig. 1 and 33 in Fig. 2, respectively, showingthe end of the cable for attaching the package;

Fig. 4 is an end view of the same, looking at the end adapted to beconnected to the trailing end of the suspension cable;

Fig. 5 is a side view of the cable anchor or trailer, showing the end ofthe cable;

Fig. 6 is an axial cross-section of the cable anchor; and

Fig. 7 is an end view thereof.

The package carrier or cable receiving means which may be in the form ofa socket member 31 is similar in function to that described in saidearlier application, wherein it is termed a socket membeig'having aflared open socket or anchor receiving end and a closed end providedwith a central aperture 32 and a slot 33 along one side from the,

flared end to the aperture to receive the suspension cable when theanchor is drawn into it for picking it up.

The opposite end of the carrier or receiving member is provided with aprojecting recess providing anchor retaining means which may be composedof spring fingers 34 preferably formed by slitting its side walls, as

1929. Serial No. 361,957.

. adapted to receive and hold the anchor or suitable cooperating member35, which is advantageously made in the shape of a ball, and to. whichthe suspension cable 36 is at-, tached in any suitable way. Preferablythe cable 36 is provided with a swivel connection with the anchor, as bythe hardened steel bushing 37 or similar means secured in the anchor inany suitable way. In the embodi ment of the invention shown, the bushingis secured by being screwed into an axial bore in the anchor and thecable passes loosely through it and has its end fitted with a thimble38adapted to seat in the bushing and to rotate therein.

The opposite end of the bore in the anchor is closed by suitable meansshown as a plug 39, slightly tapered to adapt it to project into theaperture in the closed end of the car rier and steady the anchor whenthe latter is seated in the spring recess, as shown in dotted lines inFig. 2.

The strength of the spring fingers 34; is sufiicient to retain thecooperating member in place during the lowering of the carrier from theplane, but insufiicient to withstand the shock of contact with theground apparatus, when it lets go and permits the carrier to remain inthe hopper, as described in said earlier application.

A flexible cable 40 is secured to a lug 41 on the side of the carrieropposite the slot 33, to which the package is attached.

The device is strong and durable in its construction, and does notrequire special tools for manipulating it. Obviously variations may bemade in the shape and construction of the various parts, and theinvention is not restricted to the construction illustrated.

I claim the following as my invention:

1. A two part attachable connection for the carrier and suspending cableof an airplane transfer apparatus comprising an elongated receivingmember adapted to receive a" cooperating member from either direction,and a spring seat on one end of the receiving member for the cooperatingmem ber, said receiving member having means for passing the cabletherethrough when the cooperating member is engaged in one of its inalinement with said cable adapted to enter cooperating positions. saidaperture when seated in said spring seat. 2. Atwo part attachableconnection for the In testimony whereof, I have signed my carrier andsuspending cable of an airplane name to this specification. transferapparatus comprising an elongated LYTLE S. ADAMS.

receiving member a,dapte d to receive acooperating imember from -.Veither direction, a spring seat on one end of the receiving member forthe cooperating member, a swivel be- 'tweensaid cooperating'meinber andthe suspension cable, and meansfor admittingan'd passing the cablethrough .said receiving member When the cooperating member is engaged inone of its cooperating positions. 7 v 15 3. A grapple for airplanepackage trans- Eferawpparatus comprising .a tubularrreceiving 'smember ihaving :an open end anda closed '1 :end with aperture :zadjacent theretoand ihavingassloti irrthesidewall of5the receiving v 120 membereXtendingJfrom-I the: open end? too-the .-iapertu=re,; :a; springseat.on r the :closed ,end'. of :therrece'rving. member,-.and .aitrailingconnecrtor adaptedr toz-rbe attached .to ztherzairplane ;and:providedWithta terminakfittingmda'pted 25 TtO BHtBIS theiopen end'of saidreceiving :mem- 9O :bersand seat Withim its: closed end to pick. it

up and ;also zaidapted a toe engage :and :be 're- *ta-ined in saidspring seatto. lower said receiv- :ingimember.

i 00 :4. 5A grapple foriairplane package transfer apparatus comprising atubular receiving amember having Lil-I1 openendp a closed end, an.aaperture adjacent to-the closed end and aslot inthe sidewall-0f thereceiving-memberextending-from the open endato: the aperture, a

spring seat :on" the 'close'd'end :of the receiving 11161111761, and:.:3,- trailing connector adapted to be attached to theairplane-:andzprovided "z-wit'h-rarballswiveled thereto iadapte'd toenter the -open end ofssaid receiving member and --seat withinrv itsclosed end and .;also adapted to engage :and be retained'in said springseat.

:15. A ggrapple for. airplane :package trans- "fer apparatus comprisingasuspension:cable,

E4 7 and associated receiving member: having; an

open end and a closed en'd,:..a=spring seat on the-closed endysaidreceiving member having --ana-perture 'to-receive said cablewhen theanchor is seatedz'with-inits closed en'd,and

an anchor for the suspension cable, said an- -chor being adapted toenter-the open end of said receiving-member or to "besea-ted' in saidspring seat.

6. A -grapple {for airplane packagetrans- IILIS f g er apparatuscomprisingasuspension cable and a cable receiving member having .an openend and a closedend, a spring seat on the closed. end,,.and an anchorfor the suspension .cable,.said anchor beingadapted to enter ;the openendofsaid receiving member or to be-seated insaid spring seat, saidreceiving @mernber'havingan aperture to receive said tcablew hen theanchor is-seated Within its 5 :oloseidaen'd, said-:anchori having-aprojection

